Securing an air contitioning unit to a building by applying force to an interior and an exterior surface of the building

ABSTRACT

A system for securing an air conditioning unit to a building without the need for any alteration and/or damage to the building itself. The system includes a cross bar, an air conditioning unit support, and a strut. The arrangement of the components results in the cross bar applying an outward force to an interior surface of the building and strut applying an inward force to an exterior surface of the building in response to the downward force exerted on the air conditioning unit support. The sum of the forces applied on the surfaces of the building is sufficient to secure the air conditioning unit to the building.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/633,095 filed Oct. 1, 2012 and entitled “SECURING AN AIRCONDITIONING UNIT TO A BUILDING BY APPLYING FORCE TO AN INTERIOR AND ANEXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE BUILDING,” the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Air conditioners are often secured adjacent to or partially withinbuilding windows, where a portion of the air conditioning unit islocated outside of the building while the air conditioning unitoperates. Such an arrangement prevents hot air resulting from operationof the air conditioning unit from entering the building that is beingcooled. Since a portion of the air conditioning unit extends beyond theexterior of a building, there exists a potential for the airconditioning unit to fall from the window to the surface below. Ofcourse, this is particularly problematic in urban areas, where severalof such air conditioning units may be found in a single building,several stories above the ground surface. As a result, strict safetyregulations have been developed in some urban areas with regard to theinstallation and maintenance of window air conditioning units. Forexample, the New York City Building Code sets forth specific guidelinesthat must be adhered to when such a unit is installed. Further, to date,air conditioners have been attached to a building utilizing supportstructures that are built into the building itself. As such, if thesupport system falters or is removed, the building is permanentlyaltered or damaged. Therefore, a need exists for an air conditioningunit support system that provides sufficient safety and does not damageor otherwise modify the building to which is secured.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioning unitsupport system secures an air conditioning unit to a building whilecomplying with municipal ordinances and other applicable safetyrequirements and allowing the air conditioning unit to efficientlyoperate without requiring any modification and/or damage to the buildingitself. The air conditioning unit support system includes a first memberconfigured to extend beyond the width of an aperture of a building andabut an interior surface of the building on either side of the aperture.The system also includes a second member extending from a medial portionof the first member, where the second member is configured to supportthe air conditioner. The system further includes a third memberextending between the second member and an exterior surface of thebuilding.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for securing anair conditioning unit to a building includes a first member engaged witha second member and configured to apply an outward force to an interiorsurface of the building in response to a downward force applied to anupper surface of the second member by the air conditioning unit. Thesystem also includes a third member engaged with the second member andconfigured to apply an inward force to an exterior surface of thebuilding in response to the downward force applied to the upper surfaceof the second member by the air conditioning unit.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for securing anair conditioning unit to a building includes utilizing a first memberengaged with a second member to apply an outward force to an interiorsurface of the building in response to a downward force applied to anupper surface of the second member by the air conditioning unit. Themethod also includes utilizing a third member engaged with the secondmember to apply an inward force to an exterior surface of the buildingin response to the downward force applied to the upper surface of thesecond member by the air conditioning unit.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a system for securing anair conditioning unit to a building includes a first member configuredto be positioned about an interior surface of the building and a thirdmember configured to be positioned about an exterior surface of thebuilding. The first member and the third member are engaged with oneanother through a second member extending between the interior surfaceof the building and the exterior surface of the building and configuredto support an air conditioning unit. Also, the third member is furtherconfigured to be actuated along the length of the second member betweena first position and a second position. At the second position, thefirst member applies an outward force to the interior surface and thethird member applies an inward force to the exterior surface, the sum ofthe forces sufficient to secure the air conditioning unit at the topsurface of the second member.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for securing anair conditioning unit to a building includes positioning a first memberabout an interior surface of the building and positioning a third memberabout an exterior surface of the building. The first member and thethird member are engaged with one another through a second memberextending between the interior surface of the building and the exteriorsurface of the building and configured to support an air conditioningunit. The method also includes actuating the third member along thelength of the second member from a first position to a second position.At the second position, the first member applies an outward force to theinterior surface and the third member applies an inward force to theexterior surface, the sum of the forces sufficient to secure the airconditioning unit at the top surface of the second member.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present disclosure in order that the detaileddescription of the disclosure that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific aspect disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthe disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system for securing an airconditioning unit in which concepts described herein are applied; and

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a system for securing an airconditioning unit in which concepts described herein are applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein provide air conditioning unit supportsystems that secure an air conditioning unit to a building while 1)complying with municipal ordinances and other applicable safetyrequirements, and 2) allowing the air conditioning unit to efficientlyoperate without requiring any modification and/or damage to the buildingitself. Certain embodiments may be modular, comprising components thatare of adjustable dimensions and configurations, being able toaccommodate standard (albeit different) building dimensions andmaterials, window dimensions, and air conditioning units of variousdimensions. This modularity also provides for easy packaging, assembly,and repair or flexible arrangement and use. Components of systemsdescribed herein are thought to advantageously comprise one or acombination of lightweight materials that impart sufficient strengthsuch as, for example, steel, aluminum, or fiber-reinforced plastic, andthe like. Accordingly, the entire weight of the air conditioning unit,which may be as much as sixty (60) pounds, is supported by systemsdescribed herein without modification and/or damage to the adjoiningbuilding.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a system for securing an airconditioning unit in which concepts described herein are applied.According to FIG. 1, a first member (such as cross bar 101) is engagedwith a second member (such as air conditioning unit support 102) and isconfigured to apply an outward force to an interior surface of abuilding (such as building 130) in response to a downward force appliedto the upper surface of the second member by an air conditioning unit(such as air conditioning unit 120). A third member (such as strut 103)is engaged with the second member and configured to apply an inwardforce to the exterior surface of the building in response to thedownward force applied to the upper surface of the second member by theair conditioning unit. That is, system 100 comprises cross bar 101, airconditioning unit support 102, and strut 103. As will be described inmore detail, cross bar 101, air conditioning unit support 102, and strut103 operate to secure air conditioning unit 120 to building 130 withoutrequiring any damage and/or modification to building 130 while complyingwith stringent municipal ordinances and other applicable safetyrequirements.

Cross bar 101 is configured to extend beyond the width of an aperture ofa building, e.g., a window, and abut an interior surface of the buildingon either side of the window. Further, cross bar 101 reversibly engagesair conditioning unit support 102 by various attachment mechanisms. Byway of example, cross bar 101 may comprise one or more notches that areconfigured to accept corresponding protrusions from air conditioningunit support 102 (e.g., by virtue of a male and female arrangement). Inany event, cross bar 101 and air conditioning unit support 102 may forman engaged position such that each is locked with respect to one anotherand later be maneuvered by a user to an unengaged position, so that eachmay be moved or separated from one another. The reversible engagementbetween cross bar 101 and air conditioning unit support 102 (whether bya fastener, removable pins, or aligned notches and/or grooves) isadvantageous because each may be folded with respect to one another forpackaging, transport, and the like.

Optionally, a sealing member configured to seal the interior of building130 from the exterior of building 130 may be formed around airconditioning unit support 102 and the surface of a window while airconditioning unit support 102 extends between the interior and exteriorof building 130.

Cross bar 101 is variable in length so that system 100 may be utilizedwith windows of different widths. The length adjustments should besufficient to permit a length of cross bar 101 to be adjusted so thatthe cross bar 101 is sufficiently wider than a width of the windowopening. According to one embodiment, cross bar 101 comprises a centralportion and two telescoping distal portions, each of which may beactuated between a retracted and extended position to ensure a desiredlength. According to another embodiment, cross bar 101 may comprise twopieces, where one slides along the length of another to form a desiredlength. In either case, consistent with the discussion herein, thelength may be fixed by a reversible fastener means, one or more securingpins or bolts, or a latch mechanism. Finally, a soft material, such asrubber or a rubber composite, may cover cross bar 101 to prevent damageto the interior surface and/or window surrounding.

Air conditioning unit support 102 extends from cross bar 101 andsupports air conditioning unit 120 along its top surface. That is,according to the illustrated embodiment, the electrical and mechanicalcomponents of air conditioning unit 120, such as the compressor, theevaporator, the fans and blowers, are supported by air conditioning unitsupport 102. The length of air conditioning unit support 102 may beadjusted to accommodate different air conditioning units and buildingwalls of different thickness. According to one embodiment, airconditioning unit support 102 may comprise and outer sleeve and an innersleeve, where its length is adjusted by sliding the inner sleeve andouter sleeve along their length with respect to one another. Further,air conditioning unit support 102 may comprise and upper segment and alower segment, where its length is adjusted by sliding the upper segmentand lower segment along their length with respect to one another. Lengthadjustments may be performed by aligning appropriate apertures in theinner sleeve and outer sleeve and inserting a securing pin or fastenerthrough the aligned apertures. Length adjustments may also be performedby sliding the sleeves or segments along a series notches or grooves sothat it each is seated in a desired notch or groove at the desiredlength.

Further, it should be appreciated that support 102 (illustrated as asingle component at FIG. 1) may, in fact, comprise several structuresthat may be configured according to specific dimensions of an airconditioning unit. For example, support 102 may comprise two or morerods or beams extending between cross bar 101 and strut 103. The spacingbetween the multiple rods or beams may be configured be a user tosupport the edges of air conditioning unit 120. Such a configuration isthought to advantageous in that it will inhibit air conditioning unit120 from becoming lopsided due to high winds, unbalanced weight, and thelike.

Strut 103 extends between air conditioning unit support 102 and building130. Strut 103 is a structural component that operates to resist thedownward force exerted by air conditioning unit 120 on air conditioningunit support 102 that would otherwise cause air conditioning unit 120 tofall to the surface or rotate inward toward building 130. As such, strut103 provides support for building 130, where the support has at least acomponent perpendicular to the surface of building 130, keeping airconditioning unit 120 separate from building 130. In this way, strut 103restrains motion of air conditioning unit 120 with respect to building130.

The length of strut 103 and the angles at which strut 103 extend betweenair conditioning unit support 102 and building 130 may vary according todifferent considerations. For example, 1) the orthogonal or nearorthogonal distance from the surface of building 130 at which strut 103meets air conditioning unit support 102, and/or 2) the distance belowair conditioning unit support 102 at which strut 103 abuts the surfaceof building 130 may be varied. This may be done to accommodate airconditioning units of different lengths, city ordinances, applicablesafety regulations, and the like. According to one embodiment, thedistance from the surface of building 130 at which strut 103 meets airconditioning unit support 102 may be varied by sliding the end of strut103 along a series notches or grooves so that it may be seated in adesired notch or groove. According other embodiments, strut 103 can beadjusted along the length of air conditioning unit support 102 by nutand bolt combinations, screws, or a reversible fastening mechanism, suchas adjustable clamping or biasing means. For example, according to oneembodiment, the upper end of strut 103 may be attached to airconditioning unit support 102 by a bolt or pin inserted through a pairof aligned apertures in each (defined through either the horizontal orvertical surfaces of each).

The distal end of strut 103 that abuts building 130 may itself beadjustable so that it remains flush against the surface of building 130even where the angle of strut 103 changes with respect to the surface ofbuilding 130. Preferably, strut 103 comprises an adhesive material thatprovides sufficient resistance to alter movement, holding airconditioning unit support 102 (and therefore air conditioning unit 120)in a fixed position. According to another embodiment, the lower end ofstrut 103 may be in combination with or comprise a foot component 104.Foot component 104 preferably comprises a resilient, vibration isolationpad secured thereto, which effectively serves as a “non-skid” pad.

As seen from the previous description, air conditioning unit 120 issupported along building 130 by virtue of the physical arrangementbetween cross bar 101, air conditioning unit support 102, and strut 103,because the physical arrangement of those components provides sufficientforces against both the interior and exterior surfaces of building 130in response to the downward force exerted by unit 120 on support 102. Assuch, no further mechanical support is needed. Instead, by virtue ofthis arrangement, the surfaces of building 130 are leveraged to secureair conditioning unit 120 thereto. That is, according to the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the downward force exerted by air conditioningunit 120 on air conditioning unit support 102 operates to bias saidwindow cross bar 101 toward said interior wall of building 130. In doingso, the bias is of sufficient magnitude to hold cross bar 101 at a fixedposition at said interior surface of building 130. Simultaneously, thedownward force exerted by air conditioning unit 120 on strut 103 to biasstrut 103 toward exterior surface of building 130. In doing so, the biasis of sufficient magnitude to hold a distal end of strut 103 at a fixedposition at the exterior surface of building 130.

For optimal installation of air conditioning unit 120, it must be angleddownwardly from horizontal to allow condensation to drip from the rearof the air conditioner. To allow for such installation, air conditioningunit support 102 may further comprise level indicator 105, whichincludes a bubble floating in a liquid contained in an elongated, cleartube. The level indicator may also include a first line disposed acrossthe tube toward the distal end thereof and a second line disposed acrossthe tube toward the proximal end thereof. After placing assembledbracket air conditioning unit 120 in an initial position, reference maybe made to level indicator 105. The angle of air conditioning unitsupport 102 may be adjusted as described above, until the floatingbubble indicates that air condition unit 120 is tilted slightly belowhorizontal from building 130. In this regard, if the manufacturersuggests a particular angle or range of angles, then that angle shouldbe set. If there is no suggested angle, then level indicator 105 may beemployed to set an angle as described above.

It should be further appreciated that strut 103 may be actuated alongthe length of air conditioning unit support 102 between an extendedposition, where the upper end of strut 103 is at or near the distalportion of air conditioning unit support 102, and a retracted position,where lower portion of strut 103 is near or about the exterior surfaceof building 130. This feature, which may be implemented in combinationwith other features described with reference to FIG. 1, is described asa primary securing mechanism in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a system for securing an airconditioning unit in which concepts described herein are applied.According to FIG. 2, a first member (such as cross bar 201) isconfigured to be positioned about an interior surface of a building(such as building 230) and a third member (such as strut 203) isconfigured to be positioned about an exterior surface of the building.The first member and the third member are engaged with one anotherthrough a second member (such as air conditioning unit support 202),which extends between the interior surface of the building and theexterior surface of the building. The second member is also configuredto support an air conditioning unit. Further, the third member isfurther configured to be actuated along the length of the second memberbetween a first position and a second position. At the second position,the first member applies an outward force to the interior surface andthe third member applies an inward force to the exterior surface, wherethe sum of the forces is sufficient to secure the air conditioning unit.

Air conditioning unit support system 200 is illustrated where strut 203is actuated along the length of air conditioning unit support 202between an expanded and retracted position, as previously described. Inthis embodiment, cross bar 201 may have a different configuration thanthat previously described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, crossbar 201, rather than span the entire width of a window, may instead beconfigured to wrap around or below the interior surface extending fromthe window. Cross bar 201 may have an aperture through which a firstdistal end of a threaded rod extends therethough, continues to extendalong the length of air conditioning unit support 102 above the windowsill, and extend to strut 203 at another distal end. A rotatingmechanism, such as a knob or a handle, is engaged with the threaded rodat one end along cross bar 201 and strut 203 is engaged with thethreaded rod at another end. By virtue of that configuration, a user isable to continuously rotate the knob or handle in a given direction toactuate the strut 203 closer to or further from cross bar 201. Accordingto such an embodiment, a user may secure air conditioning unit 220 atbuilding 230 by turning the knob or handle at cross bar 201, causingstrut 203 to approach the outer surface of building 230. Once strut 203approaches the outside surface of building 230, continued actuatingperformed by the user will cause an initial force exerted by strut 203against the outer surface of building 230 and an initial force exertedby cross bar 201 against the inner surface of building 230. As thoseforces increase, sufficient tension is created such that support system200 is essentially clamped on the window at an appropriate position.During this process, the user can further adjust the angle of airconditioning unit 220 to be tilted horizontally from building 230 aspreviously discussed.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable anyperson skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Variousmodifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited tothe examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

1. (canceled)
 2. A system that secures an air conditioning unit at afixed position, the system comprising: an adjustable first member that,when extended, extends beyond the width of a window of a building andabuts an interior surface of the building on either side of the window;a single support member comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve,where an effective length of the single support member is adjustable bysliding the inner sleeve or outer sleeve along their length with respectto one another; the single support member, when coupled to the firstmember, extends from the center of the first member at the center of thewindow, the single support member supporting the air conditioning unit;and a third member, when coupled to the inner sleeve, extends betweenthe inner sleeve and an exterior surface of the building.
 3. The systemof claim 2 wherein the physical arrangement between the first member,the single support member, and the third member, when exerted upon bythe downward force of the air conditioning unit, operates sufficientlyto secure the air conditioning unit.
 4. The system of claim 2 whereinthe downward force exerted by the air conditioning unit on the singlesupport member operates to bias the first member toward the interiorwall of the building.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the bias is ofsufficient magnitude to hold the first member at a fixed position at theinterior surface of the building.
 6. The system of claim 2 wherein thedownward force exerted by the air conditioning unit on the singlesupport member operates to bias the third member toward the exteriorwall of the building.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the bias is ofsufficient magnitude to hold a distal end of the third member at a fixedposition at the exterior surface of the building.
 8. The system of claim2 wherein the first adjustable member comprises at least one telescopingportion at a distal end, the at least one telescoping portion configuredto actuate between a retracted and an extended position.
 9. The systemof claim 8 wherein the at least one telescoping portion may bereversibly fixed at a position at one of or between the retracted andextended positions.
 10. The system of claim 2 wherein the single supportmember is reversibly attached to the first member.
 11. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the single support member comprises a plurality ofadjustment mechanism along its length, the plurality of adjustmentmechanisms securing the third member at one of a plurality of positionsalong the length of the single support member.
 12. The system of claim 2wherein the angle at which the third member extends from the singlesupport member is adjustable.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein theadjustment may be performed to optimize adhesion of the third member tothe exterior surface of the building.
 14. The system of claim 2 whereinthe third member comprises an adhesive material that provides sufficientresistance to hold the air conditioning unit at a fixed position at itsdistal end abutting the exterior surface of the building.
 15. A methodfor securing an air conditioning unit at a fixed position, the methodcomprising: supporting the air conditioning unit at the fixed positionby: utilizing an adjustable first member that, when extended, extendsbeyond the width of a window of a building and abuts an interior surfaceof the building on either side of the window; utilizing a single supportmember comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, where aneffective length of the single support member is adjustable by slidingthe inner sleeve or outer sleeve along their length with respect to oneanother; where the single support member, when coupled to the firstmember, extends from the center of the first member at the center of thewindow, the single support member supporting the air conditioning unit;and utilizing a third member, when coupled to the inner sleeve, extendsbetween the inner sleeve and an exterior surface of the building.
 16. Asystem that secures an air conditioning unit at a fixed position, thesystem comprising: an adjustable first member that, when extended,extends beyond the width of a window of a building and abuts an interiorsurface of the building on either side of the window; a single supportcomprising a second outer member and a third inner member, where aneffective length of the single support is adjustable by sliding thesecond outer member or inner third member along their length withrespect to one another; the single support, when coupled to the firstmember, extends from the center of the first member at the center of thewindow, the single support member supporting the air conditioning unit;and the inner third member, when coupled to the outer second member tosupport the air conditioning unit at the fixed position, extends betweenthe outer second member and an exterior surface of the building.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16 wherein the physical arrangement between the firstmember, the outer second member, and the inner third member, whenexerted upon by the downward force of the air conditioning unit,operates sufficiently to secure the air conditioning unit.
 18. Thesystem of claim 16 wherein the downward force exerted by the airconditioning unit on the single support member operates to bias thefirst member toward the interior wall of the building.
 19. The system ofclaim 18 wherein the bias is of sufficient magnitude to hold the firstmember at a fixed position at the interior surface of the building. 20.The system of claim 19 wherein the downward force exerted by the airconditioning unit on the single support member operates to bias thethird inner member toward the exterior wall of the building.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20 wherein the bias is of sufficient magnitude to hold adistal end of the third inner member at a fixed position at the exteriorsurface of the building.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the firstadjustable member comprises at least one telescoping portion at a distalend, the at least one telescoping portion configured to actuate betweena retracted and an extended position.
 23. The system of claim 22 whereinthe at least one telescoping portion may be reversibly fixed at aposition at one of or between the retracted and extended positions. 24.The system of claim 16 wherein the single support member is reversiblyattached to the first member.
 25. The system of claim 16 wherein thesingle support member comprises a plurality of adjustment mechanismalong its length, the plurality of adjustment mechanisms securing thethird inner member at one of a plurality of positions along the lengthof the second outer member.
 26. The system of claim 16 wherein the angleat which the third inner member extends from the second outer member isadjustable.
 27. The system of claim 26 wherein the adjustment may beperformed to optimize adhesion of the third inner member to the exteriorsurface of the building.
 28. The system of claim 16 wherein the thirdinner member comprises an adhesive material that provides sufficientresistance to hold the air conditioning unit at a fixed position at itsdistal end abutting the exterior surface of the building.
 29. A methodfor securing an air conditioning unit at a fixed position, the methodcomprising: supporting the air conditioning unit at the fixed positionby: utilizing an adjustable first member that, when extended, extendsbeyond the width of a window of a building and abuts an interior surfaceof the building on either side of the window; and utilizing a singlesupport comprising a second outer member and a third inner member, wherean effective length of the single support is adjustable by sliding thesecond outer member or inner third member along their length withrespect to one another; where the single support, when coupled to thefirst member, extends from the center of the first member at the centerof the window, the single support member supporting the air conditioningunit; where the inner third member, when coupled to the outer secondmember to support the air conditioning unit at the fixed position,extends between the outer second member and an exterior surface of thebuilding.